Sunday, August 18, 2013

College Bound

By: Joelle Charbonneau

My son is only five, so I am not one of the many parents
taking their children to college this month.
However, two of my students did go off to school for the first time this
weekend and while I am not their parent, I have had a great number of emotional
moments as I’ve watch them set off into this next phase of their life.

The two that left this weekend have been with me for
years. I’ve watched them struggle,
triumph, get frustrated and celebrate the happy moments. I pushed them hard as they prepared for
countless concerts and musicals and for the intense college application and audition
process. They rose to every
occasion. And in between the lessons
were hundreds of phone calls and texts filled with chat, support, questions and
advice.

As a private voice teacher, I get the unique opportunity to
really know these students and be a part of their lives. They are my kids. I’ve watched them grow and change and truly
become young adults. They are people who
think for themselves, are open to new things and passionate about the subjects
they have chosen for their futures. I’m
so proud of how far they have come and part of me wishes I could still be there
for their weekly lessons to help them take the next steps.

But I can’t.

They will have new teachers.
They will take these next steps without me. And as sad as I am to not be there to see
each development as it happens, I am so very happy. They’re ready for this next step. They have come far enough that they will
listen to their teachers with the confidence to try whatever is asked of
them. They are ready to believe in
themselves just as I have always believed in them. I have done my job. It is time for others to work magic in their
lives and for me to step aside.

So, while I’m not the parent saying goodbye, I still feel
the tug of sadness and the incredible pride that those parents must feel. Because they are my kids, too.

So to Kristen and Jacob – congratulations on taking this
step. And to all the parents out there
who are feeling that ache of sadness because their child has started a new
phase of their life—my heart is with you all.
Letting go is hard, but this is the best kind of letting go.